Railway signal-torpedo.



F1 BUTCHER. RAILWAY SIGNAL TORPEDO. 11 21110111101! FILED 111 11.22, 1911.

Patented Nov. 21, 1911.

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FRANK BUTCHER, 0F VERSAILLES, PENNSYLVANIA.

RAILWAY SIGNAL-TORPEDO.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK DUTCHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Versailles, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have 'invented'certain new and useful Improvements in Railway Signal-Torpedoes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to improvements in railway signal torpedoes, and consists of two fiat open ended tubular cases, which are placed in telescoped positions with the open ends of the inner tube at the closed sides of the outer tube, the inner case containing the explosive compound and the outer case constituting an inclosing and strengthening case. This construction of torpedo case is particularly intended as a fiber or paper torpedo, the flat tubular cases being composed of paper, and the primary object of the invention is to produce an effective torpedo efficient and cheap to manufacture and as semble; when assembled the completed tor pedo has relatively thin and weak ends which under the explosion tear out, and by reason of the relatively thin ends there is no danger of injury to persons by the flying thin ends of the case, and which is of such construction that it will not be pushed off the rail by the engaging wheel of the locomotive and is very compact, making it con venient for transportation and for handling by the trainman.

In the accompanying drawingFigure 1 is a perspective View showing my improved torpedo applied to the tread of a railroad rail. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of Fig. 1, taken transverse the railroad rail but 1011- gitudinal the torpedo. Fig. 3 is a sectional View at right angles to Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showingthe several parts of the torpedo in separated relation.

In carrying out my present invention, a flat tubular open ended tubular paper or fiber case 1 is provided and placed within this case 1 is an explosive compound 2. This explosive compound 2 is molded in the form of a plastic block, as shown in Fig. 2, and this is placed within the inner case. The explosive compound block 2 is as here shown, and preferably square in plan and of uniform thickness, while the inner case is made slightly longer than it is wide to provide a small recess at the ends of the block 2 to receive a water-proof sealing film or coating Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 22, 1911.

Patented Nov. 21, 1911. Serial No. 622,777.

3. By making the block 2 square, it can be placed within the tube 1 without reference to the length or width, and this facilitates the assembling of the torpedo, which is done by cheap labor. The inner case 1 is waterproof in any well-known and suitable man ner and this preferably done before the explosive compound block 2 is placed thereon.

An outer open ended flat tubular case at is provided to receive the inner case 1, and

this outer case 4 is made of an interior width substantially equal to the exterior length of the inner case 1, so that the inner case 1 is placed within the outer case 4 with its open ends opposite and closed by the side walls 5 of the outer case. The two cases are made of such size that the inner case fits the outer one tightly, causing sufficient friction to hold the two cases together, and a suitable rail attached strap 6 is carried by the outer case 4:, in any suitable manner. As here shown, this is accomplished by forming a groove 7 in the bottom of the outer ends 4 to permit the passage of the strap 6 between the two cases. However, the specific manner of attaching the strip 6 to the outer case forms no part of my present invention.

With the two flat open ended cases placed in right angled or reversed telescoped positions, as herein shown and described, the side walls 8 of the inner case are at the open ends of the outer case 4, and the completed torpedo is thus provided with relatively thin or weak end walls composed of paper or fiber, and these weak walls break away under the explosion and being thin and small there is no danger to persons from the flying particles thereof, and, in fact, there are practically no flying particles because these small thin walls are in effect consumed or blown into atoms when they give way unwhich contains the explosive compound,

which also cheapens the construction.

This improved torpedo, as here shown, is composed of two flat telescoped rectangular cases, the outer case serving to strengthen the inner case and to serve as means for attaching the rail-engaging strap.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. An improved railway signal torpedo,

comprising tWo telescoped flat rectangular open ended tubular cases, the inner case con taining an explosive compound and having its open ends opposite the sides of the outer case.

2. An improved railway signal torpedo, comprising two open ended telescoped tubular cases, the inner case containing an explosive compound and made of an exterior length substantially corresponding to the interior Width of the outer case, the inner case placed Within the outer case with its open ends opposite the sides of the outer case.

3. An improved railway signal torpedo,

comprising an inner and an outer fiat rectangular telescoped open ended tubular case, a plastic block of compound Within the inner case the inner case and its open ends being Water-proof the open ends of the inner case located opposite the side Walls of the outer case.

4. An improved railway signal torpedo, comprising tWo telescoped open-ended tubular cases, the inner case containing an explosive compound and having its open ends 'opposite the closed sides of the outer case.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aifix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

FRANK DUTCHER. WVitnesses:

SIMON F. LoEB, GERTRUDE DAVIDSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

